“Iran crackdown left 16,500 dead, 330,000 injured – Sunday Times,” Iran International, 1-18-26. Horrible. Don’t read the following if you are squeamish. “The doctors’ report said most deaths occurred over two days during what it described as the most violent phase of the crackdown in the Islamic Republic’s 47-year history, with most victims believed to be under 30. Professor Amir Parasta, an Iranian-German eye surgeon and medical director of Munich MED, told The Sunday Times the data was gathered through doctors communicating via smuggled Starlink satellite terminals after internet access was cut on January 8. “This time they are using military-grade weapons,” Parasta was quoted as saying, adding that doctors were seeing gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head, neck and chest. He said at least 700 to 1,000 people had lost an eye. Figures compiled from eight major eye hospitals and 16 emergency departments cited in the report put the number of injured between 330,000 and 360,000. One Tehran eye hospital, Noor Clinic, documented around 7,000 eye injuries alone, according to the report. An ophthalmologist quoted by The Sunday Times said the volume of pellet-related eye injuries had overwhelmed hospitals. Another witness cited said more than 800 eye removals were performed in a single night in Tehran. Medical sources said some patients died due to blood shortages, with one surgeon quoted as saying security forces had at times prevented blood transfusions. Witnesses who spoke to The Sunday Times described security forces firing live ammunition at protesters, including shots aimed at heads, and deploying snipers on rooftops. Accounts also described the use of Kalashnikov rifles and machineguns mounted on vehicles.”
“Senior Iranian UN diplomat in Geneva defects, seeks asylum in Switzerland,” I24, 1-18-26. “According to the report, several other Iranian diplomats have discreetly contacted European authorities in recent weeks to explore the possibility of seeking asylum.”
“’All options on the table’: US boosts presence in Middle East as Iran strike remains possibility,” JPost, 1-18-26.
Credit the Ayatollah and his desire for control. “Why Iran’s regime, facing internal and external threats, has no clear leader in waiting,” NBC, 1-18-26.
“World Economic Forum invites Iranian foreign minister to Davos after regime slaughter of Iranian civilians,” Fox, 1-18-26.
“United Against Nuclear Iran says WEF ignored letter urging exclusion of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,” Fox, 1-18-26.
“Trump halted Iran strikes amid ally concerns, logistical hurdles, diplomatic breakthrough: Report,” MEMO, 1-18-26.
“Fears grow that Iran’s internet blackout may turn permanent to weaken dissent,” NYPost, 1-18-26.